craig-



(I Io Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

J. P. CRAIG & T. F. STRAUHAN, Jr.

EXTENSION FIRE LADDER.

No. 338,717. Patented Mar. 30, 1886.

(No Model.) 2 Shee t-s-Sheet J. P. CRAIG & T. F. STRAOHAN, Jr.

, EXTENSION FIRE LADDER.

No. 338,717. Patented Mar. 30, 1886.

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN PATRICK CRAIG AND THOMAS FRANK STRAOHAN, JR, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

EXTENSION FIRE-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 338.717, dated March30, 1886.

Application filed October 21, 1885. Serial No. 180,480.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN PATRICK CRAIG and THOMAS FRANK STRACHAN, J r.,citizens of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county ofErie and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Extension Fire-Ladders; and we do declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and tothe letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a partof this specification.

The object of this invention is to furnish a simple means of raising andoperating an extension fire-ladder, (on a suitable truck,) and theinvention as constructed and applied will be understood by reference tothe following specification and claim.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of one-half the entiredevice without the truck; Fig. 2, a detail of the appliances for raisingthe ladder or ladders, front view; Fig. 3, a detail in centralcross-section of one screw curved rod and one of the cog-wheels throughwhich said rod passes centrally, side view.

A represents the main ladder, pivoted to two upright posts, 13 B, by arod, 8, passing through the top of the posts and through the sides ofthe ladder a little above the lower ends. The posts B are firmlyattached to a 1ongitudinally-revolving circular base, 0, to turn theladder when raised in any direction. This feature being old, we do notfurther particularize it. Across this base, just back of the posts B, isa strong cross-frame, D, in which is a large central cog-wheel, a,fastened to a long shaft, 1), projecting from the front of the machine.Meshing into this cog-wheel, each side, are two smaller cog-wheels, c 0,each having a curved screw-rod, cl, passing through the center, withcorresponding screw-threads therein to fit the rods, which act asscrewaxles thereto. One end of each rod d is fastened into the lower endof the ladder-frame, and is then curved into a half-circle, and the (Nomodel.)

upper end fastened above into the same side of the ladder. (See Fig. 1.)The end of the shaft 6 is fitted for a crank, and when turned revolvesthe central cog-wheel, a, which operates the two cog wheels 0 c inconnection therewith, which cause the threaded curved rods (1 (Z to moveand raise or lower the ladder, as required. This is a very simple way ofraising the heavy ladder A, and the two curved screw-rods give a greatpurchase as well as holding power.

Inside each of the main ladder-frames is a (metal) groove, 20, runningclear to thetop, and in these grooves runs an extension drop-ladder, E,by means of a rod, 0, (see Fig. 1,) which passes through said ladder atthe base, and the ends of said rod projecting into said grooves u a. Byan attached chain or cord, f, and a Windlass, 9, this ladder is hoisted,and when high enough so that the base is about opposite the story to beentered the outer end of the ladder is dropped by a chain, f, and thrustinto a window, by which firemen can enter and carry hose, &c., orpersons may escape from the building.

\Ve believe this to be the only drop extension-ladder in connection witha fire apparatus. Its value in this connection will at once be seen. Incombination with both side pieces of the main ladder, and permanentlyconnected thereto, is a line of hose, h, fastened either in a groove onthe under side or otherwise, as most convenient, the lower ends suppliedwith hose-couplings h, so as to be instantly connected with hose fromhydrants or engines, the upper ends projecting a little beyond theladder, and supplied with couplings h, to which a pipe or nozzle, i,will be used in connection; or another line of hose may be coupled torun into a building or on a roof, and to carry it, if necessary, on tothe dropladder E.

Our device can be attached to any laddertruck in use, and a greatadvantage over others is its comparative lightness, by which it can berun on unpaved street-s.

\Ve claim- The devices for raising and lowering the main ladder,consisting of the two curved screw-rods d 01, attached to the ladder asde- In testimony whereof we affix our signatures scribed, the cog-wheelso c in frame D, having in presence of two witnesses.

screw-threads in the central opening, with the JOHN PATRICK CRAIG.screw-rods d working therein, said cog-wheels THOMAS FRANK STRACHAN, JR.meshing into a larger and central cog-whee], \Vitnesses:

a, fastened on the operating-shaft b, all sub- J. R. DRAKE,

stantially as described. T. H. PARSONS.

